Hospital accused of threatening, interrogating nurses

Interrogative tactics and videotaping nurses engaged in union activities are just two of the charges brought against Borgess Medical Center in Kalamazoo, Mich., by the Michigan Nurses Association (MNA), which filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge with the National Labor Relations board on Tuesday. MNA claims Borgess was "premeditated" in its actions related to contract negotiations. 

According to John Karebian, MNA's executive director, Borgess leaders not only "threatened and coerced" nurses by removing employee protections, but also tried to avoid working with the labor union as a bargaining representative, something he called insulting. 

"The decision by the management of Borgess Medical Center to attempt to take away the existing assurance of the voice of the nurses at the bedside without just cause shows a disregard and disrespect for the profession of nursing and the nurses that practice in their facility," Karebian said. 

The actual complaint accuses Borgess of trying to "deal directly with employees" during contract negotiations, offering only "take-it-or-leave-it" deals to such employees. The complaint also says that Borgess interrupted nurses at various points throughout the day with an emphasis on promoting its bargaining proposals, and that the hospital threatened "economic penalties" for rejection of Borgess' proposal. 

To learn more:
- read the MNA's press release
- here's the actual complaint filed with the NLRB

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